Olivia Swash

Review of Raffaello Hotel

Beware of lack of WiFi on higher floors. I was ple...

Beware of lack of WiFi on higher floors. I was pleasantly surprised at a great deal I found on a room at Raffaello, but I quickly realised why they must be selling them off... I was put in a room quite high up in the hotel, and found that the WiFi was non-existent (it appeared, but was so weak that I couldn't connect on any of my devices). I had some time-sensitive work to do during my stay, so I called down to reception - he was polite and apologised, but he couldn't offer me a solution except for me trying to connect again. I tried restarting everything, re-connecting etc. over a number of hours, and even the next morning it was still impossible to use. I went down to reception and explained that I really needed to do work, but they still couldn't offer me a solution, except for working in the common 'business center' area within the hotel. The work I needed to do was with people based in the UK (including conference calls overnight on Chicago time), and at 4am I really didn't want to have to get dressed, leave my room, take my laptop and go to a different floor. I really shouldn't have to do that when I've booked the room on the promise of having internet IN my room. I double-checked my booking confirmation - it said 'free high-speed WiFi' in no uncertain terms.
I raised my issue for a second time with reception, who again were polite, and this time offered for me to change to a room 7 floors below (I'm not sure why they didn't offer this the first night). The WiFi was much better further down in the building, and reception seemed to know that this would be the case, so I have a feeling they were/are selling rooms for much cheaper knowing that the WiFi doesn't work in the much higher floors. It really ruined what could've been an amazing experience at such a beautiful hotel. I should've been able to get my work done and enjoy the gorgeous city, but instead I was stressed out at missing my work responsibilities, and I missed a work deadline because of it.
To note, everything else in the hotel was great - the whiskey bar on the top floor is exceptional, rooms were clean and location is fantastic. I was sad that the donut bar had disappeared though!